Those who served in the Air Force made a sacrifice for our country. After their time in the Air Force was done and they returned to civilian life, they may have thought that part of their life was behind them. Unfortunately, veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their time in the Air Force may receive a mesothelioma diagnosis. This illness can take years to develop and once it does, the patient has many difficult decisions to make. Our law firm has seen the connection between Air Force veterans and mesothelioma and understands the diagnosis is likely because of asbestos exposure. Frost Law Firm, PC is here to help you fight for your rights and gain fair compensation for your diagnosis.
While a mesothelioma diagnosis can turn your life upside down, our firm is here to help you move forward. We understand the difficulties and sadness you may be feeling at receiving this diagnosis or learning a family member has received this diagnosis. Our lawyers can present you with legal options so you can work towards having a more certain financial future. With rightful compensation, you can proceed with treatment and not worry about affording the care.
You may be wondering how the asbestos exposure occurred in the first place. Let’s take a look at how Air Force veterans may have been exposed to asbestos that resulted in mesothelioma.
Air Force Veterans and Asbestos Exposure
The dangers of asbestos weren’t known for a period of time and the material had a variety of uses. Unfortunately, this caused widespread use of asbestos-containing materials. This was no different for the U.S. Armed Forces. Because asbestos resists heat, insulates well, and is a durable material, it was a common substance in aircraft. In addition to aircraft, places where Air Force veterans could have been exposed include:
- Air Bases
- Radar Stations
Building these structures could have included asbestos-containing materials. When construction repairs were done to buildings like barracks, the construction likely disturbed asbestos-containing materials like the ceiling tiles, roofing materials, and flooring. It doesn’t take much force to disturb asbestos—and when it’s disturbed, it can release fibers into the air where people can breathe it in. This happened more easily as the infrastructure began to degrade. If someone was stationed in an asbestos-heavy environment, they were more likely to have long-term exposure, which increases the risk of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma.
There are a few jobs that may have an increased chance of asbestos exposure:
- Aircraft Handler
- Technician
- Metalsmith
Even if an Air Force veteran didn’t have one of these jobs, they could still have come in contact with asbestos fibers and develop mesothelioma. While long-term exposure does increase the chance of mesothelioma, there isn’t a safe exposure level of asbestos. It’s also important to know that those who have only been exposed to asbestos for a few days have been known to develop mesothelioma.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Protect Your Rights?
No matter how you were exposed, you’re likely going to be focused on what you can do in the future. After the shock of the diagnosis passes, you may begin thinking about treatment. Mesothelioma is aggressive and it’s important to act quickly when you’re fighting it. When your doctor gives you treatment options, you’ll want to have a clear mind so you can pick the option that works best for you. However, for some, the stress of the treatment’s financial cost may weigh on them more. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’re going to afford the care you need. This care could help keep the cancer from spreading and also provide relief from the pain the illness can cause. That’s where our law firm can help.
What you may not know about seeking benefits and compensation for your diagnosis is that there are a few ways that you can receive them. When you meet with our lawyers, we’ll go over the various ways you can get the benefits and compensation you need. This can include paying for medical care, future medical care, lost wages if you’re no longer able to work, and pain and suffering costs. It’s important to know that different benefits will go with different options. For example, if you file for disability as a result of your diagnosis, your noneconomic damages like pain and suffering will not be covered there. However, your lawyer will fight for you to recover those losses with a personal injury claim.
We’ll examine all your options and find the ones that will help your best interests. You won’t have to worry about getting overwhelmed with information and the steps you have to take. We’ll be at your side throughout the process and are ready to answer questions and compile what you need to have a valid claim.
Frost Law Firm, PC Can Help You
Our firm has the utmost respect for our country’s veterans and we will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve. When you have representation on your side, you’ll rest assured that we’re going to do everything we can to protect your rights and get you full and fair compensation.
To get started on your case, give our office a call today. Our Hawaii mesothelioma lawyers are ready to help you in a free case evaluation. We’ll go over your options and how you can move toward receiving compensation.
